Printing press



3 Sheets$heet l R. MIEHLE INVEN TOR. fiobarz Mia/2Z6 BY %'2 x ATTORNEYS.

PRINTING PRESS Filed April 6, 1931 Dec. 15, 1936.

PRINTING PRESS 'Filed April 6, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS. I

Patented Dec. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PRINTING PRESS Robert Miehle, Chicago, Ill.; Mabel K. Miehle, administratrix of said Robert Miehle, deceased Application April 6, 1931, Serial No. 528,048

36 Claims.

My invention relates particularly to printing presses of the bed and cylinder type, although certain features thereof are not limited to printing presses alone.

The main object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and effective reciprocating movement particularly adapted for the reciprocation of the bed of a printing press of the above type, all with a view toward satisfactory operation at high speed.

With this object in view my invention consists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts by which the said object and certain other objects, hereinafter appearing, are effected, all as fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the said drawings- Figure l is a partial side elevation of a bed and cylinder printing press embodying my invention and having parts removed, broken away, and shown in section;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same with parts removed, broken away, and shown in section;

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the reciproeating movement effected by a conventional three revolution gear and crank reciprocating movement;

Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating two reciprocating movements effected by the reciprocating movement of my invention;

Figure 6 is a partial diagrammatic view in side elevation of the reversing mechanism of my invention;

Figure 7 is a partial plan view of the mechanism show in Figures 1 and 2 with parts removed, broken away, and shown in section; and

Figure 8 is a side elevation of one of the cam track shoes of the reversing mechanism of my invention. 7

Like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the frame of the press is inclusive, as is usual, of spaced side frames I, only one of which is shown, which are secured in spaced relation by a number of cross members which are inclusive of a downwardly disposed intermediate cross stay 2. Spaced above the cross stay are horizontally spaced longitudinally extending bed tracks 3 which are supported from said cross members, the cross stay being provided with vertical standards 4. supporting the bed tracks. Arranged above the bed tracks 3 is a horizontally disposed type 6 interposed between the tracks and the bed, the I slider rollers 6 being rotatably carried in slider frames comprising slider bars 1 disposed on opposite ends of the rollers and on opposite sides of the tracks and secured in spaced relation by means of bolts 8 and spacers 9, as shown in Figure 7.

Carried by the side frames l above the type bed and arranged over the cross stay 2 is a revoluble transversely disposed impression cylinder ll cooperating with the bed in a conventional manner. The side frame I, which is shown, is provided with a lateral opening l2 therethrough in the region of the cross stay 2, and the adjacent standard 4 and this side frame, at said opening, are provided with finished vertical surfaces I3 arranged in a common transverse vertical plane. See Figures 1 and 2. Detachably secured against these surfaces, by means of headed screws I4, is a bearing frame l partially disposed in the opening I2, the cross stay and the aforesaid adjacent standard being provided with an upwardly facing ledge formation l6 engageable by the lower end of the frame l5 for accurately adjusting this frame vertically as by shimming between the ledge formation and this frame, the holes in this frame through which the screws l4 extend permitting sufficient vertical adjustment of the frame I5 for purposes hereinafter described.

Secured on the bottom of the bed 5, immediately inward of the inner slider bar I of the track 3 adjacent the side frame I which is shown, is a downwardly facing longitudinally extending rack I1, and meshing with this rack is a revoluble gear l8 which is secured on the inner end of a transverse shaft l9, this shaft extending outwardly from this gear through the opening l2 of the aforesaid side frame and being journaled in a bore through the upper end of the bearing frame IS.

The gear I8 is wider than therack l1 and projects inwardly therefrom, and formed on the inner lower portion of the bearing frame I5 is a large annular bearing formation 2| disposed on a transverse axis and upon which is revolubly mounted a ring gear 22 disposed in the plane of the projecting portion of the gear l8 and meshing therewith, it being observed that the gears l8 and 22 are disposed on vertically spaced axes.

A revoluble internal gear segment 23 is arranged inwardly of the rack IT, has its web arranged immediately inward of the common plane of the gears l8 and 22 and has its internal gear portion arranged in this plane for alternate engagement with these gears. The gear segment 23 is fixed on the inner end of a transverse power shaft 24 which extends outwardly therefrom through the bearing formation 2| and through the opening l2 of the aforesaid side frame I and is journaled in the lower portion of the bearing frame I 5.

As so arranged rotation of the gear segment 23 eifects alternate engagement thereof with the gears l8 and 22, resulting in alternately driving the gear l8 and with it the bed 5, by reason of this gear meshing with the rack IT, in opposite directions. This drive effects a uniform movement of the bed alternately in opposite directions through the medial portions of its movements, the bed being retarded, stopped and oppositely accelerated at the ends of its movements and between engagements of the segment 23 with the gears l8 and 22 by means now tobe described.

Secured to the bed and extending downwardly therefrom, immediately adjacent the side of the gear segment 23 opposite that on which the rack I1 is disposed, is a cam track frame 25, and fixed on the gear segment intermediate the gear portion thereof is a crank stud 26 projecting into the plane of the cam track frame.

Mounted on the crank stud 26 for independent rotation are two crank rollers 21 and 28 of different diameters, the largest roller 21 being disposed nearest the cheek of the crank or the web of the gear segment. See Figures 1, 2 and '7.

Arranged on the cam track frame are two adjacent curved cam tracks convergent at their ends which are alternately traversed by the crank to retard, stop and oppositely accelerate the bed at the ends of its movements and between engagements of the gear segment 23 with the gears l8 and 22, it being observed that the gear segment and crank are single revolution members, that is they rotate one revolution to each reciprocation of the bed.

The aforesaid cam tracks comprise two outer shoes 29, provided with concave cam surfaces engaging the largest roller 21 and preferably offset as designated at 3| to be also engaged by the smaller roller 28, and an inner shoe 32 between said outer shoes and forming the opposite or convex cam surfaces of both tracks and arranged out of the plane of the largest roller 21 to be engaged by the smaller roller 28. See particularly Figure 7.

It will be observed, see Figure 1, that the inner shoe 32 is arranged on the side of the crank farthest from the axis of the crank during the arcs of the crank cooperating with the tracks, so that the outer shoes 29 contacting the large roller 21 and preferably also the smaller roller 28 serve to retard and oppositely accelerate the bed, the inner shoe contacting the smaller roller 28 serving to insure contact of the crank with the outer shoes in the normal operation of the machine except when excessive cushioning is exerted on the bed at the reversals thereof.

The crank has a path of movement outwardly beyond the ends of the inner shoe 32, and the gear mechanism, comprising the gears I8 and 22 and the gear segment 23, serves to transfer the crank from one track to the other about the ends of the inner shoe, said path of movement consisting of path portions extending outwardly beyond the ends of the inner shoe followed by second path portions retrograde with reference to the first mentioned path portions, as indicated at 33 in Figure 6.

The ends of the inner shoe 32 are extended, for the purpose of keeping control of the crank longer, to an extent normally encroaching upon the path of the crank and particularly in said second path portions thereof, and where, as shown, the inner shoe comprises a part of both adjacent cam tracks, the shape of this shoe, due to its relation to the extended ends thereof, also normally encroaches upon the path of the crank. See Figure 6.

Accordingly, the inner shoe 32 is pivotally mounted on the frame 25 on an axis intermediate the ends of this shoe and disposed normal to the plane of the cam tracks by means of a stud 34 on this shoe and journaled in a bore in the cam track frame, whereby said inner shoe is pivotally movable in the plane of the crank and transversely of said cam tracks. See Figures 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8. The inner shoe is provided with a stud 35 spaced below the stud 33 which is disposed between two stops 36 on the cam track frame to limit the pivotal movement of said inner shoe.

The arrangement is such that the crank oscillates the inner shoe between the stops 36 to clear the crank in its movement relative to the cam tracks, the shape of the inner shoe being such that it closely confines the crank in its traversals through the cam tracks.

Springs 31 are associated with the stops 36 and, engageable with the stud 35, serve to yieldably urge the inner shoe to an intermediate position of its pivotal movement and to cushion the inner shoe at the ends of its said movement, thus promoting the smooth and effective operation of the shoe. In Figure 6 is indicated the movements of the crank and inner shoe as above described.

From the above, it will be observed that the reversing of the bed is effected independently of the gears l8 and 22, that the gear segment 23 being a single revolution element affords a simple and effective cooperation of the bed driving gearing shown and a single revolution crank reversing mechanism, and that where as shown the bed driving gearing, exemplified by the gears I8 and 22 and the gear segment 23 are located under the bed, a compact reciprocating movement is afforded which is capable of rugged construction as shown, and that an excessive amount of height, throughout the movement of the bed, is not necessary due to the single upwardly disposed bed driving rack.

The bed 5 is advantageously guided and held down in the following manner.

The slider bar 1 which is disposed between the bed driving rack H is extended downwardly, as indicated at 38 in Figure 2, whereby it has a substantial sliding engagement with the opposing side of the adjacent bed track 3. The bed driving rack has a side thereof slidably engaging the opposite side of this slider bar, thus providing an adequate side guide for the bed particularly adapted to resist side thrust of the bed in the direction toward the adjacent side of the bed. The side of the rack l! engaging the adjacent slider bar is preferably relieved between the ends thereof, as designated at 39 in Figure 7, in order that rocking effect is eliminated.

Disposed between the bed tracks 3 and spaced downwardly therefrom is a guide bar 4| which extends longitudinally of the movement of the bed and is disposed on the side of the cam track frame 25 opposite that on which the gear segment 23 is disposed. See Figures 1 and 2.

This guide bar is disposed intermediate the top and bottom of the cam track frame 25 and in the region of the horizontal axial plane of the shaft 24 or the aXis of the reversing crank, and is supported from the cross members of the frame of the press including the cross stay 2 which is provided with an upwardly extending standard 42 on the upper end of which the guide bar is supported.

The cam track frame 25 is provided with guide formations 43 projecting therefrom longitudinally of the movement of the bed, and these guide formations slidably engage the adjacent side and upwardly against the bottom of the guide bar to provide a side guide for the bed opposing that associated with the bed track, as hereinbefore described, and to provide a hold down for the bed, the position of the guide bar being obviously advantageous particularly for a hold down and providing for the positioning of a conventional air cushioning device, generally indicated at 44, for cushioning the reversals of the bed, between the guide bar and the bed.

The guide bar 4| is secured on the frame of the press by means of the guide bar being seated in angle formations d5 of the cross members of the press frame and secured therein by means of headed screws it, the guide bar being thus adjustable vertically and laterally by means of shims 41 inserted between the angle formations 45 and the guide bar. See Figure 2.

As will be observed, the bed motion gearing and the reversing crank are arranged over the cross stay 2, and the bottom of the cam track frame just clears the top of the cross stay. See Figures 1 and 2.

The gear 22 projects substantially below and the reversing crank and the gear segment 23 in theirmovement also project substantially below the bottom of the cam track frame and the upper surface of the cross stay. In order to provide space for the gear 22, the reversing crank and the gear segment 23 without increasing the height of the press and to provide for the lubrication of the reciprocating mechanism, an oil reservoir 48 is formed in the cross stay over which the cam track frame passes, into which the gear 22 projects and through which the reversing crank and gear segment 23 pass to pick up oil in the reservoir for the lubrication of the reciprocating mechanism.

The oil reservoir is extended laterally of the sides of the cross stay, as indicated at 49 in Figure 1, for the clearance of the reversing crank and gear segment 23, for the catching of oil dripping from the reciprocating mechanism and to provide an adequate cross section of the cross stay at the reservoir.

Secured on the outer end of the power shaft 24 on the outside of the adjacent side frame I is a large gear 5i by means of which the shaft is driven, the gear 5! being in turn driven, as by a pinion 52 meshing therewith, from a suitable power source. The impression cylinder H is provided with a gear 53 which meshes with the gear 5| for driving the cylinder in timed relation with the bed. See Figures 1 and 2.

Associated with the upper surface of the bed 5 is an inking mechanism including form ink rollers 54 and a pyramid roller 55 contacting therewith, which are oppositely rotated with the opposite movements of the bed, and in order to drive these rollers in correspondence with opposite movements of the bed the following is provided.

Secured on the outer end of the shaft IS on the outside of the adjacent side frame I and disposed inwardly of the gear 5| is a gear 56 which meshes with an idler gear 51 rotatably mounted on the adjacent side frame I. The gear 51' also meshes with a gear 58 secured on the pyramid roller 55, with the result that the ink rollers 54 and 55 are driven in opposite directions in correspondence with the opposite movements of the bed, the gear I8 being necessarily in constant mesh with the bed drive rack I1.

It will be observed that the rotating elements of the reciprocating mechanism are mounted as a unit on the bearing frame l5 with obvious advantage in assembly and adjustment thereof as a unit.

The cam tracks are curved oppositely to the cooperating arcs of the reversing crank and, while duplicates, are unsymmetrical in that the upper portion of each differs from its lower portion, the upper portion of one cam track corresponding with the lower portion of the other cam track and vice versa, for purposes hereinafter explained.

Referring to Figure 5, the line 6%, 5i indicates the center line of the upper portion of the cam track at the left in Figure 6, and the line 62, 63 indicates the center-line of the upper portion of the cam track at the right in Figure 6, while the line 64 represents the horizontal axial plane of the reversing crank, which plane is parallel to the movement of the bed.

The center line of the lower portion of the cam track at the left in Figure 6 is the same as the line 62, 63 reversed and continuing the center line 60, 6! downwardly, while the center line of the lower portion of the cam track at the right in Figure 6 is the same as the line 60, 6| reversed and continuing the center line 62, 63 downwardly.

The line 60, 65 indicates the cooperating arc of the reversing crank in the upper portion 60, 6| of the cam track at the left in Figure 6, while the line 62, 66 indicates the cooperating arc of the reversing crank in the upper portion 62, 63 of the cam track at the right in Figure 6, the cooperating arcs of the reversing crank in the lower portions of the cam tracks being reversed, that is, the cooperating arc of the reversing crank in the lower portion of the cam track at the left in Figure 6 is the same length as the are 52, (it, while the cooperating arc of the reversing crank in the lower portion of the cam track at the right in Figure 6 is the same length as the are 60, 65.

The normal direction of rotation of the reversing crank for printing is counter-clockwise in Figures 1 and 6. Accordingly, the upper portion 62, 63 of the cam track at the right in Figure 6 and the lower portion of the cam track at the left in this figure, which is the same as the portion 62, 63 reversed, serve, in the traversals of the reversing crank therethrough, to retard and stop the bed at the ends of'its opposite movements, while the upper portion 60, 6| of the cam track at the left in Figure 6 and the lower portion of the cam track at the right in this figure, serve, in the traversals of the reversing crank therethrough, to oppositely start and accelerate the bed at the initiations of its opposite movements.

The arc 60, BI is shorter than the are 62, 66, and, consequently, less of the angular movement of the reversing crank is utilized to start and accelerate the bed than is utilized to retard and stop the same, for the following reason.

In retarding the bed at the ends of its strokes, the momentum of the bed and the parts reciprocating therewith has a tendency to overrun the rotating mechanism of the machine with consequent tendency to speed up the rotating mechanism during retardation of the bed. Conversely, in starting and accelerating the bed at the initiations of its strokes, the inertia of the bed and the parts reciprocating therewith has a tendency to place a drag on the rotating mechanism of the machine with consequent tendency to retard the rotating mechanism during acceleration of the bed. Consequently, the shock of reversal is due primarily to the retardation of the bed rather than to the acceleration thereof, and while cushioning devices are employed to counteract the shock of reversal they are directed to the effect rather than the cause and have their limitations.

Of course, the greater the period given to reversing the bed, the less shock will be forthcoming, but increasing the period given to reversing decreases the uniform run of the bed with consequent decrease in bed travel and capacity of the machine.

It is due to these conditions that I provide a greater period for retarding and stopping the bed than is utilized for starting and accelerating the bed, thus applying the period saved by the relatively short acceleration period to the uniform run of the bed.

Referring again to Figure 5 the vertical lines 61 indicate the ends of the movements of the bed and the lines 68 indicate the opposite movements of the bed, the adjacent arrows indicating the direction of these movements. The portions of the lines 68, between the lines 61 and the lines 69 indicate the retardation and stoppages of the bed while the portions of the lines 68 between the lines 61 and the lines H indicate the starting and acceleration of the bed. The progressive retardation of the bed is indicated at 12 while the progressive acceleration thereof is indicated at 13.

Referring to Figure 3, the movement of a conventional three revolution reversing crank reciprocating mechanism of corresponding proportions is shown, the lines 14 indicating the ends of the movements of the bed while the line 15 indicates the movement thereof. The portions of the line 15 between the lines 14 and the lines 16 indicate the equal retardation and acceleration periods of the bed while the portion of the line 75 between the lines (6 indicates the uniform run of the bed.

Referring again to Figure 5, in order that the lengths of the portions of the reversing arcs of the reversing crank lying on opposite sides of the horizontal axial plane of the reversing crank be equalized, at least to some extent, the stoppage points of the cam tracks, indicated at 60 and 62, are arranged on opposite sides of said plane, which is parallel to the movement of the bed, and in directions therefrom corresponding with the normal movement of the crank at such points, that is the movement of the crank at such points when the mechanism is operating in the direction for printing as heretofore described.

This arrangement of the stoppage points of the cam tracks is effected, as shown, by the portions of the cam tracks in the regions of the stoppage points thereof being curved on arcs opposite to the cooperating arcs of the reversing crank and having their axes disposed on opposite sides of the said axial plane of the reversing crank and in directions therefrom corresponding with the normal movement of the crank at such points, as indicated at 71, thus giving the cam tracks at said plane corresponding inclinations to the normal of said plane.

As shown in Figure 5, the periods of retardation are greater than the retardation periods of the conventional three revolution reversal crank mechanism while the acceleration periods are somewhat less than that of the three revolution crank reversal, the length of travel of the bed and the length of the uniform run thereof, as shown in Figure 5, being less than those of the three revolution mechanism though not as much less than they would be were the acceleration periods 61, H as great as the retardation periods 61, 69.

Figure 4 is a diagram of another proportioning of the reciprocating motion of my invention and the same reference characters are tothe same elements as are applied in Figure 5. In Figure 4 the retardation periods 61, 69 are equal to those of the conventional three revolution reversal crank mechanism, while the accelerating periods 61, H are considerably shorter than those of the three revolution crank reversal, the extent of bed movement being equal to that of the three revolution mechanism while the uniform run 'H 68 is greater than that of the three revolution mechanism. This proportion has not the speed capability of the proportion shown in Figure 5, but has, from the retardation periods thereof the same speed capability as the three revolution reversing crank mechanism with the advantage of longer uniform run.

While I have described and shown the preferred embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction as changes may readily be made without depart ing from the spirit of my invention, but having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described the combination with a horizontally reciprocable member provided with a downwardly facing longitudinally extending rack, of two revoluble meshed gears disposed underneath said reciprocable member on vertically spaced axes and the upper of which is operatively connected directly with said rack, a revoluble internal gear segment alternately engaging said gears for operating said reciprocable member through the medial portions of its movements, and means for reversing said reciprocable member at the ends of its movements including a crank operatively connected with said gear segment.

2. In a device of the character described the combination with a horizontally reciprocable member provided with a downwardly facing longitudinally extending rack, of two revoluble meshed gears disposed underneath said reciprocable member on vertically spaced axes and the upper of which meshes with said rack and the other of which is a ring gear provided with a relatively large bearing, a revoluble internal gear segment arranged on one side of said rack for alternate engagement with said gears to operate said reciprocable member through the medial portions of its movements, a revoluble shaft upon which said segment is mounted and extending therefrom in the direction through said ring gear bearing, and means for reversing said reciprocable member at the ends of its movements including a crank angularly fixed with said segment and shaft.

3. In a device of the character described the combination with a horizontally reciprocable member provided with a downwardly facing longitudinally extending rack, of two revoluble meshed gears disposed underneath said reciprocable member on vertically spaced axes and the upper of which meshes with said rack and the other of which is a ring gear provided with a relatively large bearing, a revoluble internal gear segment arranged on one side of said rack for alternate engagement with said gears to operate said reciprocable member through the medial portions of its movements, a revoluble shaft upon which said segment is mounted and extending therefrom in the direction through said ring gear bearing, and means for reversing said reciprocable member at the ends of its movements including a crank on the side of said segment opposite that on which said rack is disposed and angularly fixed with said segment and shaft.

4. In a device of the character described the combination with a horizontally reciprocable member provided with a downwardly facing rack extending longitudinally thereof, of two revoluble meshed gears disposed underneath said reciprocable member on vertically spaced axes and the upper of which meshes with said rack and the other of which is a ring gear provided with a relatively large bearing, a revoluble internal gear segment arranged on one side of said rack for alternate engagement with said gears to operate said reciprocable member through the medial portions of its movements, a revoluble shaft on which said segment gear is mounted and extending therefrom in the direction through said ring gear bearing, a cam track frame depending from said reciprocable element on the side of said segment opposite that on which said rack is disposed, and a crank on said segment cooperating with said cam track frame for reversing said reciprocable member at the ends of its movements.

5. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a rotating member, and mechanism for reciprocating said reciprocable member with angular movement of said rotating member including means.

for starting and accelerating and means for retarding and stopping said reciprocable member at the ends of one stroke thereof, said first mentioned means utilizing less of the angular movement of said rotating member to start and accelerate than is utilized by said second mentioned means to retard and stop.

6. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a rotating member, and mechanism for reciprocating said reciprocable member with angular movement of said rotating member including a crank on said rotating member and two tracks on said reciprocable member and alternately traversed by said crank, one track for starting and accelerating and the other track for retarding and stopping said reciprocable member at the ends of one stroke thereof, said first mentioned track utilizing less of the angular movement of said crank to start and accelerate than is utilized by said second mentioned track to retard and stop and said tracks being so arranged that the starting and stopping points thereof are disposed on opposite sides of the axial'plane'of said crank.

parallel to the movement of said reciprocable member and in directions therefrom corresponding with the normal movement of said crank at such points. i w

7. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a single revolution rotating member, and mechanism for reciprocating said reciprocable member with angular movement of said rotating member including a crank on said rotating member and two cam tracks on said reciprocable member and alternately traversed by said crank, one track for starting and accelerating and the other track for retarding and stopping said reciprocable member at the ends of one stroke thereof, said first mentioned track utilizing less of the angular movement of said crank to start and accelerate than is utilized by said second mentioned track to retard and stop, and said tracks having the portions thereof in the region of the starting and stopping points thereof curved oppositely to the cooperating arcs of said crank and on axes disposed on opposite sides of the axial plane of said crank parallel to the movement of said reciprocable member and in directions therefrom corresponding with the normal movement of.

said crank at such points.

8. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a rotating member, and mechanism for reciprocating said reciprocable member with angular movement of said rotating memberincluding means for retarding, stopping and oppositely accelerating said reciprocable member at the ends of its movements, said means utilizing less of the angular movement of said rotating member to start and accelerate than it utilizes to retard and stop.

9. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a rotating member, and mechanism for reciprocating said reciprocable member with angular movement of said rotating member including a crank on said rotating member and track means cooperating with said crank for retarding, stopping and oppositely accelerating said reciprocable member, said track means utilizing less of the angular movement of said crank to accelerate than is utilized to retard.

10. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a rotating member, and mechanism for reciprocating said reciprocable member with angular movement of said rotating member including a crank on said rotating member and track means cooperating with said crank for retarding, stopping and oppositely accelerating said reciprocable member, said track means utilizing less of the angular movement of said crank to accelerate than is utilized to retard and having the stoppage points thereof disposed on opposite sides of the axial plane of said crank parallel to the movement of said reciprocable member and in directions therefrom corresponding with the normal movement of said crank at such points.

11. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a single revolution rotating member, and mechanism for reciprocating said reciprocable member with angular movement of said rotating member including a crank on said rotating member and two cam tracks on said reciprocable member and convergent at their ends and alternately traversed by said crank to retard, stop and oppositely accelerate said reciprocable member at the ends of its movements, said tracks having the portions thereof in the region of the stopping 75,

points thereof curved oppositely to the cooperating arcs of said crank and on axes disposed on opposite sides of the axial plane of said crank parallel to the movement of said reciprocable member and in directions therefrom corresponding with the normal movement of said crank at such points.

12. In a device of the character described the combination with a rotating crank, of a plurality of coaxial independently revoluble crank rollers of different diameters on said crank and arranged with the roller of the largest diameter nearest the cheek of the crank, and a reciprocable member provided with a track periodically cooperating with said crank, said track comprising a shoe engaging said largest roller and an opposing shoe arranged out of the plane of said largest roller to be engaged by the remainder of said rollers.

13. In a device of the character described the combination with a rotating crank, of two coaxial independently revolublecrank rollers of different diameters on said crank and arranged with the roller of the largest diameter nearest the cheek of the crank, and a reciprocable member provided with a track periodically cooperating with said crank and curved oppositely to the cooperating arc of the crank, said track comprising a concave shoe engaging said largest roller and an opposing convex shoe arranged out of the plane of said largest roller to be engaged by said smaller roller.

14. In a device of the character described the combination with a rotating crank, of a plurality of coaxial independently revoluble crank rollers of different diameters on said crank and arranged with the roller of the largest diameter nearest the cheek of the crank, and a reciprocable member provided with a track periodically cooperating with said crank, said track comprising a shoe engaging said largest roller and disposed on the side thereof adjacent the axis of the crank when the crank is in the cooperating are there of and an opposing shoe arranged out of the plane of said largest roller to be engaged by the remainder of said rollers.

15. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a track thereon, a rotating crank periodically cooperating with said track, and a plurality of coaxial independently revoluble crank rollers of different diameters on said crank and arranged with the roller of the largest diameter nearest the cheek of the crank, said track comprising a shoe provided with offset track surfaces to be engaged by all of said rollers and an opposing shoe arranged out of the plane of said roller of the largest diameter to be engaged by the remainder of said rollers.

16. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a curved cam track thereon, a rotating crank cooperating with said cam track throughout an arc of movement of the crank disposed oppositely to the curvature of said cam track, and two coaxial independently revoluble crank rollers of different diameters on said crank and arranged with the roller of the largest diameter nearest the cheek of the crank, said track comprising a shoe provided With offset concave track surfaces to be engaged by all of said rollers and an opposing shoe arranged out of the plane of said roller of the largest diameter and provided with a convex track surface to be engaged by the other 'roller.

17. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a pair of cam tracks thereon and convergent at their ends, a rotating crank alternately cooperating with said tracks, a pair of coaxial independently revoluble crank rollers of different diameters on said crank arranged with the roller of the largest diameter nearest the check of the crank, said tracks comprising outer shoes engaging said largest roller, and an inner shoe arranged out of the plane of said largest roller to be engaged by the smaller .roller, and means for transferring said crank from one track to the other at the ends thereof.

18. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a pair of cam tracks thereon and convergent at their ends, a rotating crank alternately cooperating with said tracks, a plurality of coaxial independently revoluble crank rollers of different diameters on said crank and arranged with the roller of the largest diameter nearest the cheek of the crank, said tracks comprising outer shoes provided with offset track surfaces to be engaged by all of said rollers and an inner shoe arranged out of the plane of said roller of the largest diameter to be engaged by the remainder of said rollers, and means for transferring said crank from one track to the other at the ends thereof.

19. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of means for reciprocating said reciprocable member including a cam track comprising opposing shoes on said reciprocable member and a rotating crank periodically traversing said track and having with reference to the cam track a path portion extending outwardly beyond an end of the shoe, farthest from the axis of the crank during the cooperating arc of the crank, followed by a second path portion retrograde with reference to said first mentioned path portion, a pair of independently revoluble crank rollers of different diameters on said crank arranged with the largest roller adjacent the cheek of the crank, the other shoe engaging said largest roller, and said first mentioned shoe being arranged out of the plane of the largest roller to be engaged by the smaller roller and having its said end extended to an extent normally encroaching upon the path of said smaller roller in said second path portion of the crank, and means whereby said first mentioned shoe is positioned relatively to said other shoe in timed relation with said crank for traversal of said cam track by the crank and for movement of the crank through said second path portion.

20. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of means for reciprocating said reciprocable member including a cam track, comprising opposing shoes, on said reciprocable member and a rotating crank periodically traversing said track and having path portions extending outwardly beyond the ends of the shoe, farthest from the axis of the crank during the cooperating arc of the crank, followed by additional path portions retrograde with reference to said first mentioned path portions, a pair of independently revoluble crank rollers of different diameters on said crank arranged with the largest roller adjacent the cheek of the crank, the other shoe engaging said largest roller, and said first mentioned shoe being arranged out of the plane of the largest roller to be engaged by the smaller roller and having its ends extended to an extent normally encroach- 75 ing upon the path of said smaller roller in second path portions of the crank, and means whereby said first mentioned shoe is movable relatively to said other shoe transversely of said track for traversal of the crank through said track and for movement of the crank through said second path portions.

21. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of means for reciprocating said reciprocable member including a cam track, comprising opposing shoes, on said reciprocable member and a rotating crank periodically traversing said track and having with reference to the cam track a path portion extending outwardly beyond an end of the shoe, farthest from the axis of the crank during the cooperating arc of the crank, followed by a second path portion retrograde with reference to said first mentioned path portion, said shoe having its said end extended to an extent normally encroaching upon said second path portion of said crank, and means whereby said shoe is positioned relatively to the other shoe in timed relation with said crank for traversal of said cam track by the crank and for movement of the crank through said second path portion.

22. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of means for reciprocating said reciprocable member including a cam track comprising opposing shoes on said reciprocable member and a rotating crank periodically traversing said track and having with reference to said cam track a path portion extending outwardly beyond an end of the shoe, farthest from the axis of the crank during the cooperating arc of the crank, followed by a second path portion retrograde with reference to said first mentioned path portion, said shoe having its said end extended to an extent normally encroaching upon said second path portion of said crank, and means whereby said shoe is movable in timed relation with the crank and in the plane thereof to and from the other shoe to position for traversal of said track by said crank and to position clearing said crank in said second path portion.

23. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of means for reciprocating said reciprocable member including a cam track, comprising opposing shoes, on said reciprocable member and a rotating crank periodically traversing said track and having with reference to said cam track path portio-ns extending outwardly beyond the ends of the shoe, farthest from the axis of the crank during the cooperating arc of the crank, followed by additional path portions retrograde with reference to said first mentioned path portions, said shoe having its ends extended to an extent normally encroaching upon said second path portions, means whereby said shoe is intermediately pivoted for movement by said crank in the plane thereof, stop means limiting movement of said shoe in both directions, and yieldable means normally urging said shoe into an intermediate position of its movement, said crank effecting a back and forth movement of said shoe in its traversal of said cam track and in its movement through said second path portions.

24. In a device of the character described the combination With a reciprocable member, of means for reciprocating said reciprocable member including a cam track, comprising opposing shoes, on said reciprocable member and a rotating crank periodically traversing said track and having with reference to said cam track path portions extending outwardly beyond the ends of the shoe, farthest from the axis of the crank during the cooperating arc of the crank, followed by additional path portions retrograde with reference to said first mentioned path portions, said shoe having its ends extended to an extent normally encroaching upon said second path portions, and means whereby said shoe is movable relative to the other shoe transversely of said track for traversal of the crank through said track and for movement of said crank through said second path portions.

25. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a pair of cam tracks thereon and convergent at their ends and comprising two outer shoes and an inner shoe forming the inner faces of said tracks, a rotating crank alternately traversible through said tracks and having a path of movement outwardly beyond the ends of said inner shoe, means transferring said crank from one track to the other about the ends of said inner shoe, said inner shoe having its ends extended to an extent normally encroaching upon the path of said crank, and means whereby said inner shoe is moved relatively to said outer shoes transversely of said tracks for the alternate traversals of said crank through said tracks.

25. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a pair of adjacent cam tracks thereon and convergent at their ends and comprising two outer shoes and an inner shoe forming the inner faces of said tracks, a rotating crank alternately traversible through said tracks and having a path of movement outwardly beyond the ends of said inner shoe, means operative upon said reciprocable member and transferring said crank from one track to the other about the ends of said inner shoe, said inner shoe having its ends extended to an extent and being of a shape normally encroaching upon the path of said crank, and means whereby said inner shoe is pivotally moved relative to said outer shoes and in the plane of the crank on an axis intermediate the ends of said innershoe for the alternate traversals of the crank through said tracks.

27. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a pair of cam tracks thereon and convergent at their ends and comprising two outer shoes and an inner shoe forming the inner faces of said tracks, a rotating crank alternately traversible through said tracks and having a path of movement outwardly beyond the ends of said inner shoe, means transferring said crank from one track to the other about the ends of said inner shoe, said inner shoe having its ends extended to an extent normally encroaching upon the path of said crank, means whereby said inner shoe is mov-' able relative to said outer shoes transversely of said tracks for back andforth movement thereof by said crank to traverse the tracks, means limiting said movement of said inner shoe, and yieldable means normally positioning said inner shoe intermediate the ends of its said movement.

28. In a device of the character described the combination with a reciprocable member, of a pair of adjacent cam tracks thereon and convergent at their ends and comprising two outer shoes and an inner shoe forming the inner faces of said tracks, a rotating crank alternately traversible through said tracks and having a path of movement outwardly beyond the ends of said inner shoe, means operative upon said reciprocable member and transferring said crank from one track to the other about the ends of said inner shoe, said inner shoe having its ends extended to an extent and being of a shape normally encroaching upon the path of said crank, means whereby said inner shoe is pivotally movable relative to said outer shoes and in the plane of the crank on an axis intermediate the ends of said inner shoe for oscillation by said crank to traverse said tracks, stops limiting said movement of said inner shoe, and spring means normally positioning said inner shoe intermediate the ends of its said movement.

29. In a printing press the combination with a frame, of a horizontal reciprocable bed carried upwardly on said frame and provided with a downwardly facing rack, means for reciprocating said bed including a plurality of revoluble gear members one of which meshes with said rack and a power shaft for driving said gear members and extending therefrom outwardly beyond said frame, a second frame carrying said gear members and shaft as a unit and detachably secured for vertical adjustment on said first mentioned frame, and a gear fast on the outer end of said shaft for driving the same.

30. In a printing press the combination with a frame inclusive of a side vertical side frame provided with a lateral opening therethrough and a vertical bed track standard spaced inwardly therefrom, of a horizontal reciprocable bed carried on said frame above said track standard and on the inside of said side frame and provided with a downwardly facing rack, means for reciprocating said bed including a plurality of revoluble gear members one of which meshes with said rack and provided with a shaft fast therewith and extending outwardly therefrom through said opening through the side frame and a second or power shaft fast with another of said gear members and spaced downwardly from said first mentioned shaft and extending outwardly from said gear members through said opening, an additional frame carrying said gear members and shafts as a unit and detachably secured against vertical faces of said side frame and said bed track, an ink roller drive gear fast on the outer end of said first mentioned shaft and arranged on the outside of said side frame, and a relatively large gear fast on the outer end of said second shaft for driving the same.

31. In a device of the character described the combination with a frame provided with a downwardly disposed cross stay, of a horizontally reciprocable member carried by said frame and arranged in an upwardly disposed horizontal plane, means carried by said frame for reciprocating said reciprocable member including a rotating member thereunder and arranged on a horizontal axis intermediate said cross stay and said reciprocablemember, and an oil reservoir formed by said cross stay through which said rotating member passes.

32. In a device of the character described the combination with a frame provided with a downwardly disposed cross stay, of a horizontally reciprocable member carried by said frame and arranged in an upwardly dis-posed horizontal plane, means carried by said frame for reciprocating said reciprocable member including a rotating crank thereunder and arranged on a horizontal axis intermediate said cross stay and said reciprocable member, and an oil reservoir formed by said cross stay through which said crank passes.

33. In a device of the character described the combination with a frame provided with a downwardly disposed cross stay, of a horizontally reciprocable member carried by said frame and arranged in an upwardly disposed horizontal plane, means for reciprocating said reciprocable member including a reciprocating frame below said reciprocable member and passing over said cross stay with a rotating element arranged on a horizontal axis intermediate said cross stay and said reciprocable member, and an oil reservoir formed by said cross stay through which said rotating member passes.

34. In a device of the character described the combination with a frame provided with a downwardly disposed cross stay, of a horizontally reciprocable member carried by said frame and arranged in an upwardly disposed horizontal plane, means below said reciprocable member for reciprocating the same including a frame depending from said reciprocable member and passing over said cross stay and a cooperating rotating crank and gear means, said crank and gear means having a path of movement extending substantially below the bottom of said frame, and an oil reservoir formed in said cross stay through which said crank and gear means pass.

35. In a device of the character described the combintaion with a frame, of an upwardly disposed horizontally arranged horizontally reciprocable member carried by said frame, means for reciprocating said reciprocable member including a second frame secured to and extending downwardly from said reciprocable member, and a sliding engagement between said first and second mentioned frames including a guide bar mounted on said first mentioned frame and extending longitudinally of the movement of said reciprocable member intermediate the top and bottom of said second frame.

36. In a device of the character described the combination with a frame, of a horizontally reciprocable member carried by said frame and arranged in an upwardly disposed horizontal plane, means for reciprocating said reciprocable member including a second frame secured to and extending downwardly from said reciprocable member and a horizontally arranged shaft spaced downwardly from said reciprocable member and disposed at one side of said second frame, and a sliding engagement between said first mentioned and second frames including a bar disposed at the other side of said second frame and secured on said first mentioned frame and extending longitudinally of the movement of said reciprocable member and disposed intermediate the top and bottom of said second frame.

ROBERT mEI-ILE. 

